Page 230 - Popular Deities of Chinese Buddhism (Illustrated) and Symbols

‘No, World Honoured One, the Tathagata should not be

so perceived. Why? Because the Buddha says the completely

perfect rupa-kaya is not, but is called the completely perfect

rupa-kaya.’

‘Subhuti, what do you think? Can the Tathagata be perceived

by His completely perfect forms?’

‘No, World Honoured One, the Tathagata should not be

so perceived, because the Tathagata says the completely perfect

forms are not, but are called completely perfect forms.’

‘Subhuti, do not say that the Tathagata thinks: “I must ex-

pound the Dharma”. Do not have such a thought. Why? Because

if someone says so, he will really slander the Buddha and be un-

able to understand my teaching. Subhuti, when (the Tathagata)

expounds the Dharma, there is really no Dharma to teach: but

this is (expediently) called teaching the Dharma.’

en the wise Subhuti said to the Buddha: ‘World Honoured

One, will there be in future ages living beings who will believe

this Dharma when they hear it?’

e Buddha said: ‘Subhuti, the living beings (you just men-

tioned) are neither living nor not-living beings. Why? Because,

Subhuti, the Tathagata says these living beings are not (really),

but they are (expediently), called living beings.’

Subhuti said to the Buddha: ‘World Honoured One, does

your (own) attainment of Supreme Enlightenment (Anuttara-

samyak-sambodhi) mean that you have not gained anything

whatsoever?’

e Buddha replied: ‘Just so, Subhuti, just so, I have not

gained even the least Dharma from Supreme Enlighten-

ment, and this is called Supreme Enlightenment. Furthermore,

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